While Michigan makers have produced some of the iconic work that shaped the 20th century modernism movement, a robust design legacy isn’t commonly associated with the state. Now, a new exhibit seeks to tell the story of the state’s contributions, from architecture to furniture and, of course, cars.
The state that was the center of both the automotive and furniture industry for most of the 20th century has never been given due regard for its design influence. That’s the premise of “Michigan Modern: Design that Shaped America,” which opens on June 14 at the Cranbrook Art Museum in …
Think Michigan heritage, and a number of things come to mind. Manufacturing, lumbering, hunting, fishing and the labor movement would likely be among them. But Modern design? Doubters, take heed. While the state’s role in such a highbrow industry as design may not be on the forefront of most Michigander’s …
With the likes of Albert Kahn, Minoru Yamasaki, Eliel Saarinen, and Charles and Ray Eames all calling Michigan home at some point in their careers, the state is arguably long overdue for a look back on the innovations it gave to the rest of the design world. It will soon …
Taking a cue from Chad’s road trip, I decided to seek out Cranbrook-related architecture during my recent spring break trip “up north” to our family’s summer home in Goodhart. Since my family has summered up north for over 40 years, I already knew that many Cranbrook artists and architects vacationed …
Cranbrook Sightings #4 Sighter: Shoshana Resnikoff Sighted: Paul Evans furniture Location: New York City Date: January 26, 2013 I love Cranbrook’s impressive history of 20th century art and design, but sometimes a girl needs to revisit her roots in the 18th century. It was with that in mind that I …
On June 16, the first comprehensive retrospective of the work of George Nelson opened at the Cranbrook Art Museum, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. “George Nelson: Architect | Writer | Designer | Teacher” first opened in Germany in September of 2008 at the Vitra Design Museum, marking what would have the …
The Detroit News explores the interesting story behind George Nelson’s journey from architect and journalist to iconic American designer. The vision of the Herman Miller Furniture Company and the talents of Nelson ultimately changed design as we know it. “George Nelson: Architect / Writer / Designer / Teacher” makes it’s …
If you’ve ever kicked back in your family room, maybe perched in a midcentury Coconut Chair and reading under a Bubble Lamp, you’ve got designer and architect George Nelson to thank. The Hartford, Conn.-born Nelson (1908-86) came up with the idea of the family room in his 1945 book Tomorrow’s …
George Nelson is considered one of the most influential figures in American design during the second half of the twentieth century. Operating from the western side of Michigan as Design Director at the Zeeland-based furniture manufacturer Herman Miller for more than twenty years, Nelson had his sights firmly focused on …
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